Private rooms after birth NHS

[Laptopontable]

I have heard people on here mention that they had the option of paying for a private room in hospital. How did you find out if this was an option at the hospital you chose and what was the process of booking (?) it?
Thank you

[didireallysaythat]

Usually on the day if it's not being used. Both times I was on the ward, the room had been given (without charge) to a new mother who was going to have an extended stay due to baby needing AB, which seemed fair as it's hard to sleep on the ward.

[EsmesBees]

Ask your midwife or look at the hospital website. We got one by asking on the day, and as it happened to be free they let us have it for no charge. Still got no sleep but it was great to have some privacy.

[TisIthecat]

I got one when ds was on ICICI. The other private rooms were mums with poorly babies or mums with twins. I know a friend was able to pay for one post-emcs when a room was free. In our hospital they went to people with a medical need first. If they weren't needed then they were able to be bought.

[AndYourBirdCanSing]

I had one for free as I had twins. Currently pregnant with just the one baby this time and have seen that my hospital charge £95 per night, either booked in advance or on the day. I'm considering it as it mentions that partners can stay over (couldn't at previous hospital). If I have a C section again this could be a huge help!

[twirlypoo]

I transferred from my Big city hospital to my local midwife led hospital after the birth, and they all had ensuite private rooms. Is there an option for you to do something like that? I knew there was a risk that if the local hospital was full I couldn't have done that, but they were keen to reassure me before hand that this was unlikely.

[CommanderShepherd]

Before I had my ds (4 weeks pfb) I was adamant I wanted a private room. As it turned out I ended up on the ward. And I am entirely grateful it turned out that way. I ended up with a section and stayed 3 days. That first night was horrid my ds was spitting up mucus in his lungs and i couldn't move fast enough. The lady in the bed next to me (whom i had judged as 'scumy/chavy') jumped to my aid various times throughout the night and comforted me when i cried that I'd never get be a good mum. She was my guardian angel. If I had that private room I would've had a meltdown

[hazeyjane]

I think you can request one on the day, but might have to be bumped. I was allocated one because I was not very well after ds's birth, and he was in NICU.

[mineofuselessinformation]

I asked (admittedly this was many years ago). I was told that if someone else was in need, it might not be available, but on the day it was. It was lovely. I had a private bathroom, and no other crying babies to keep me awake when mine was asleep.
It was dc2, so it was lovely to have the time and space with 'just us two' iyswim. I'd recommend it if you can do it.

[delilabell]

commander that's so lovely.
Their are some wonderful people in the world.

[CommanderShepherd]

She really was amazing even helped me with latch problems. I will never judge on appearance again

[Hulababy]

I had a single ensuite room for most of my stay st an Nhs hospital for dd's birth. I didn't pay for it. I didn't ask either / didn't even knowing was an option. I just fell lucky. Made the whole experience much more manageable - the two nights I spent in the shared wards were awful.

[ShinyTurd]

I got lucky and got a private room (for free obvs) in the NHS hospital where I gave birth. The wards were full and it was the only room available. Looking back, I now realise how fortunate I was, as I've heard how noisy the wards can be.

[ToniWol]

Check on the hospital website or ask your midwife. They're called Amenity Rooms at the hospital near me. But as pps have said, they're not always available as the single rooms are given as a priority to those with a medical need or if baby is on NICU.

[Rinceoir]

I was in for 8 nights after an emcs. 1st night was in hdu, 2nd in shared ward. I was then offered a private room for free as I had a bad infection and would need several days of iv antibiotics. It was tiny, and very very hot. The only thing I liked better about it was the private bathroom, and I asked to move back to the slightly airier ward for nights 7 and 8.

[FuzzyOwl]

I had to have a private room (MRSA carrier) and gave birth late at night (EMCS) but felt awful that someone was moved from the room I was given into a main ward. So whilst you might be able to get a room if you ask (or even pay in some cases), do be aware that you can be moved at any time if it is to make way for someone who is considering a priority for the room.

[NoMudNoLotus]

I wouldn't want a private room.

I was given private rooms through necessity of being extremely unwell.

It was miserable and lonely . And felt like the walls closing in. Not nice.

[Laptopontable]

Thank you for your replies everyone.

[TheLadyWithTheYellowHat]

I loved my private room, asked midwife whrn I was being induced if I could pay for one, none were available first night so I was put on a ward (after a emcs) it was horrible I was kept up all night by other babies crying then second and third nights I had my own room was lovely and quiet and i could sleep when my baby slept id definitely recommend getting one if your prepared to pay!

[ButtfaceMiscreant]

I had a private room for my second birth (twins) as I fulfilled a couple of the main criteria of multiple birth and not having baby with me (one twin was sent to NICU for a few hours), plus both twins were on ABs for a few days. I didn't have a private bathroom though, but it was nice having a bit of space.I didn't request it and other mums with twins were placed in the main ward bays later that week as all side rooms were taken.

I was on the main ward with DC1, and that was fine really; just as hot as the private room! If I were to give birth again (not planning on it!) I wouldn't request a private room unless it was twins purely for the extra space.

[Knitella]

Another vote in favour of the normal shared room. As a first time Mum who had a hospital stay of a week (early and jaundiced baby) I found the shared room really supportive and educational. You learn from other's challenges and successes and I felt this far outweighed a bit of crying from babies in the night. I didn't expect to feel that way...

[CommanderShepherd]

I must've been lucky, all the babies on my ward were mostly quiet throughout the night

[BettyBi0]

At UCLH the only option for choosing a single room is upgrading to private care at £850 per night. They used to have an nhs upgrade option at £250? per night but those rooms are now used for specific circumstances eg infections

[Silvercatowner]

I had a private room after first son and was forgotten. I had had an epidural and was extremely wobbly - buzzer didn't work and no-one came to check on me all night. I eventually managed to stagger to the nurses station - their faces were a picture.

[tappitytaptap]

I had one free after my first night on the ward after a c section. Seemed standard practice in that situation as happened to my NCT friends after sections too at the same hospital.

[Frazzled2207]

£75 at my local hospital. Both times requested when I was in labour, first time I got one after birth, second time wasn't so lucky (but there were only two of us in the shared room).
They can't be booked in advance.
They come with private bathroom too which is a big plus IMO.

Your midwife will know.